VCD Menu Options - Any ideas welcome!

[Douglesh]

I am trying to make a proffesional looking VCD, and cant go by the menu, however i got stuck, what do i put in the menu! currently i am trying to make one for exit wounds, however all i have is the actual movie itself, and not any of the extra features that are included on a DVD!

Any ideas from anybody welcome please.!

[Douglesh]

BUMP!

[dinesh]

What software are you using for authoring your VCD?
I use VCDImager(XML) and my menus are MPEG Stills.
I open PaintShopPro create a new blank image for double the NTSC resolution (704 x 480). Set any colour for background(Black , or any dark colour works better).
I use VirtualDub to open the movie file and move the slider to an important or attractive scene. I copy the frame to clipboard.
I paste this scene on the PaintShopPro Blank image and if necessary reduce its size,alter brightness, cut out any unwanted portion,etc. If needed few more scenes can be pasted this way.
Select desired font, color and add your menu options as Text.
Save this as BMP(usually preferred) and create an MPEG still using TMPGEnc.
Let your imagination run. Sure the method above requires a lot of time, but believe me you will get used to it and always end up getting the menu the way you wanted it.
Hope this works well for you.
Best of Luck.

[Douglesh]

heh, yep i do very similar actually. For my main menu's. I make a new in paintshop @ 480x576 with a black background, and then copy half the title screen of the movie into the new black image, and then savfe as BMP, after that i combine the menu with a song from the soundtrack of the movie using TMPGEnc, the only thing is, i dont know what options to put on the main menu!

[dinesh]

That depends on the video.
If it is a home video, your options could be:
1. Opening Titles
2. Visit to ..
3. Birthday Party
....

If it is a movie, It could be designed similar to the DVD or..
1. Opening Titles
2. A meets B
3. The Fight
...

You could divide your video clip to chapters.

I do the following.
I have a main menu which says:
1. Play whole movie
2. Play Selected Scenes
3. Additional Clips

Based on selection you can either display new menu or play the video.